The Centenarian

A centenarian is a person who has attained the age of 100 years or more. The term is associated with longevity because average life expectancies across the world are far from 100. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more.

The United States currently has the greatest number of centenarians in the world, numbering over 55,000 in the year 2005. The U.S. number is partly a function of America’s large population in 1890-1905, and an increased emphasis on Long-term Care (LTC) facilities. Japan is second, with 25,000. Many experts attribute this (and Japan’s very high life expectancy) to the Japanese diet, which is particularly low in fats. Japanese centenarians receive a silver cup and a certificate from the Prime Minister of Japan upon their 100th birthday, honouring them for their longevity and prosperity in their lives. In Japan, September 15 is “National Respect for the Aged Day”. Five times as many Okinawans live to be 100 than the rest of Japan. [1]

The Island of Barbados however has the second highest occurrence of Centenarians in the World.

In the United States, centenarians traditionally receive a letter from the president upon reaching their 100th birthday, congratulating them for their longevity. NBC’s Today show has also named them on air since 1983. In the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms, the Queen sends greetings (formerly as a telegram) on the 100th birthday and on every birthday starting with the 105th. Centenarians born in Ireland receive a €2,540 “Centenarians’ Bounty” and a letter from the President of Ireland, even if they are resident abroad. [1]

Among Hindus, people who touch the feet of elders are often blessed with “May you live a hundred years”. In Sweden, the tradition birthday song states, May he live to his hundredth year. In Iran, the term May you live to be 120 years old is used for blessing someone. In Poland, Sto lat, a wish to live a hundred years, is a traditional form of praise and good wishes; the Jewish tradition, however, is more ambitious, “May you live as long as Moses”, or 120 years. Chinese emperors were hailed to live ten thousand years. In Italy, “A hundred of these days!” (cento di questi giorni) is an augury for birthdays, to live to celebrate 100 more birthdays.

Filed under: New on September 18th, 2007